Using his background in auto mechanics, Beasley Allen lawyer Graham Esdale discusses the “ever-evolving process” of understanding the particulars behind automobile defects and trying auto defect cases in court. Specifically, Graham and host Gibson Vance discuss the details of Toyota unintended acceleration cases. As a lawyer in Beasley Allen’s Personal Injury and Product Liability Section, Graham tried the nation’s first sudden acceleration lawsuit in 2013 against Toyota. The suit involved a Camry’s defectively designed electronic throttle control system that was directly responsible for the vehicle’s sudden acceleration and resulting traumatic crash. As a result of his case, Toyota has settled all other claims before trial.
The two also discuss GM ignition switch litigation, which resulted from ignition switches cutting to the off position during operation, causing the loss of power steering, power braking and the airbag’s ability to deploy during a crash. Beasley Allen partnered with Lance Cooper of the Atlanta-based Cooper Firm to expose GM’s efforts to hide the defect from the public.
For more information in our fight to protect consumers from defective automobile products, visit beasleyallen.com/practice/defective-products/transportation/